An essay from Joshua Frazier: How my Alabama experience prepared me for the NFL

By Connor O'Gara

The following story is told in the voice of former Alabama defensive tackle Joshua Frazier. Before Frazier learns his NFL Draft fate, we caught up with him to explain how his Alabama experience got him to where he is today. The former U.S. Army All-American watched 5 of his defensive linemen teammates get drafted while he was in Tuscaloosa. Despite playing alongside all of that next-level talent, Frazier never left Alabama and believes his journey prepared him for a long NFL career. Frazier’s answers to our questions were edited and compiled for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy.

I remember my first day of camp at Alabama.

I remember how intense it was. The game was faster, but I was out there to prove that I could compete against the best.

I remember being star-struck by Amari Cooper. I loved the way he came to practice every day with the same get-better mindset. He set the example of how I wanted to approach my time at Alabama and that’s what I did every day.

I remember having a timeframe of how I wanted my career to go. That might not have worked out as I planned in my head, but when I got out there on game day, I still took advantage of my opportunities. That’s what led me here to the NFL Draft.

I don’t remember having a “welcome to the SEC” moment. Our focus was always on going out there and dominating our opponent for 60 minutes. I knew I was going to beat whoever I went against until they quit.

"I remember being star-struck by Amari Cooper. I loved the way he came to practice every day with the same get-better mindset. He set the example of how I wanted to approach my time at Alabama and that’s what I did every day."
Former Alabama defensive tackle Joshua Frazier

I remember waiting my turn. That wasn’t always easy. There were multiple times in my career when I thought about transferring.

I remember during my senior year when I told the coaches that I wanted to play beside (fellow NFL draft hopeful) Da’Ron Payne and not behind him. Together, I thought that we could do some serious damage out there with our skill sets.

I remember expressing my feelings about that to Coach (Nick) Saban, but it was ultimately out of my control. After all, he’s the boss. As I learned with Coach Saban, it’s all about knowing what to do and being in the right place at all times. Besides, we won the National Championship my senior year so I can’t complain.

Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

I remember how special each national championship trip was. It was never a routine for us. We worked so hard every year.

I remember having my “welcome to Alabama” moment when we would do 16 110-yard sprints with (strength and conditioning coach) Scott Cochran. If we didn’t make their times, we had to do them again. As tough as it was, we were a band of brothers who knew what we fought for every day. We worked to accomplish one single goal — win a national championship and don’t settle for anything less.

"As I learned with Coach Saban, it’s all about knowing what to do and being in the right place at all times. Besides, we won the National Championship my senior year so I can’t complain."
Former Alabama defensive tackle Joshua Frazier

I remember at halftime during the 2018 National Championship when we made the quarterback switch. I knew that Tua (Tagovailoa) was about to show the world what he was capable of. That’s not to take away from what Jalen (Hurts) did for us last year. He was the one who led the charge.

But I’ll never forget the walk-off touchdown.

I’ll never forget my Alabama experience, either. I went to Alabama — and stayed at Alabama — because I wanted to continually develop my craft and become as prepared as possible for the NFL. My Alabama experience taught me how to be mentally tough. I learned how to fight through anything that was thrown my way.

Do I have any regrets about my college experience? Absolutely not. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. Alabama got me to where I am today.

As I enter this next phase of my career, I’m confident that my best football is ahead of me.